In this final look at
Wolf Kerschek’s score of Piece for my Latino Friends we examine
some of the rhythm backgrounds of the piece. Example 8is a natty bit of Salsa. Taken at speed it is enormously effective
behind solos. The little phrase is repeated, with variations, behind an
extended ad lib trumpet solo. Note how the various instruments come together
with a bang on the last sixteenth note of each bar. This is syncopated
nicely by the bass note falling on the previous eighth note.

Example 9
is a little more difficult. Folklore has it that Olaf Polziehn, the pianist
in the German Youth Band, read this at sight, and in tempo, at the first
rehearsal. Everyone is welcome to try it. This is one of the phrases that
goes on and on, seemingly in wild abandon. Every wind instrument in the
band comes in ad lib over this frantic driving rhythm, adding to the tension
until the whole thing explodes once more into one of Wolf’s glorious climactic
passages. The ad lib free–for–all takes on a distinctly Latino flavour,
and one can almost hear the shouts of, ‘Hey Senorita!’, ‘OLE!’, ‘Hasta
la Vista!’ and smell the garlic.

The
three chords involved are, respectively G7(b13), Db/G, F7(b13)/G.

Example 10is the final rhythm of the piece. Once again
it starts behind a massive Latino tutti ad lib, something this
band does marvellously well. The ad lib dies away leaving the rhythm section
to end the number nice and peacefully. When I first heard this passage
I was convinced that it had been written differently. It certainly sounds
like the version I've added below the original. A lesser man would most
likely have written it in that way. The passage consists of mixed major
and minor thirds, and once again there is that repeated C, nagging away
on top. There is a wonderful feeling of tranquility as the rich overtones
of the final chord die away into absolute silence.